Retire in South Dakota

Have you been thinking about where to retire? We may be partial, but the Black Hills region of South Dakota has so much to offer especially if you are looking for a more laid back way of life.

For 36 million Americans who will be turning 65 in this decade it’s not just about the hot spots but affordability, as the average married baby boomer will be facing a $30,000 retirement savings shortfall.

Reasons to retire here:

Affordability –South Dakota’s cost of living is nearly 11% lower than the national average on everything from Real Estate to food and there is also no state tax. Retirees, many of whom must live on a limited fixed income, will appreciate the reasonable tax policies of the state. Making this one of the more affordable options for retirees. The area is full on beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast such as hiking, fishing and skiing spots.

Retail Services – The larger cities including Rapid City and Sioux Falls provide plenty of places to dine and shop. There are all the national chains as well as many smaller, individual shops and boutiques. Restaurants range from fast food to fine dining.

Health Services – The large cities have a number of very good hospitals. Smaller cities may have clinics and if need be, patients can be transferred to hospitals in the larger cities. There are plenty of doctors and other health professionals available to meet the needs of the residents of South Dakota.

Lifestyle – The pace of life is relaxed, the people are friendly, our crime rate is relatively low and we have a nice, quiet way of life that is hard to beat.

The town of Hill City has a lot to offer art lovers. In August is the Rendevous of the August Moon Art Festival where artists not only display their art, they also demonstrate how they do it. For the film buff the Black Hills Film Festival features 6 days of screenings and seminars.

Hill City’s location in the Black Hill’s area is the reason for the name of “Heart of the Hills” and gives easy access to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Harney Peak, and the Michelson Trail.

We are local experts in the Black Hills region and can help you buy your first Black Hills home, Call us at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how we can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress free experience selling your Black Hills Home. Our office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – ours are always open for your convenience!

Sturgis to Move Forward in Community Development

What do residents and business owners do the rest of the year when there is no rally? The answer is plan for progress.

In 2009, Sturgis residents went to city and officials and let them know about the need to make the area more business friendly. Sturgis has had the reputation of having a limited business economy due to a lot of downtown businesses only opening for the month of the rally.

Scott Peterson has purchased 22 acres along Vanocker Road to build a new Ford showroom to get things kick started. The land was annexed into the city in December. The anchor to the development of this area is the Belle Joli’ Winery production facility and tasting room.

The city has made an effort to secure land adjacent to exit 32 in an effort to attract a national retailer. The top 3 choices after a completed study by consultants Buxton Retail are Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Big Lots, and Cinemark.

The four main partners –the city of Sturgis, the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation, the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and Meade County have created a plan to guide progress in the development through 2030.

I am a local expert in the Black Hills region and can help you buy your first Black Hills home, Call me at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the  Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress free experience selling your Black Hills Home. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Don’t Wait to List Your Black Hills House This Spring

If you’re thinking about selling your Black Hills home, now’s the time! Sellers who get their home on the market early in the season have a better chance of getting a higher price and selling faster since there’s less competition.

Home prices rose 11.3 percent last year and asking prices tend to peak in May, with inventory peaking in the summer. So, now is the time get your home ready and get it listed. You won’t want to wait until the last minute to start your preparations since this usually takes some time.

Here’s a couple tips to get your home ready.

De-clutter and Repair – You will want to store as much of your belongings as you can so buyers can really see the space and potential of your home for them. Also, do any minor repairs needed, give rooms a fresh coat of paint and take a look at any small upgrades such as fixtures or appliances.

Don’t Forget the Outside – Since so many people are using the internet now to shop, curb appeal is big. Clear away any debris, do any touch-ups or repairs and when weather permits, any yard work to increase your homes curb appeal.

Work with a Knowledgeable Realtor® – A Realtor® who knows the area well can help with any suggestions on getting your home ready and set a fair asking price so make sure to discuss any upgrades you’ve done. Your Realtor® can also help with getting plenty high resolution pictures of your home, inside and out, to show all the advantages and to help in marketing your home on all the sites that buyers are using.

I am a local expert in the Black Hills region and can help you sell your Black Hills home. Call me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience in selling your Black Hills Home. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

March Events In Black Hills

If you’re looking for things to do in the area there are a lot of great events going on this month in the Black Hills region. After the long, hard winter it’s time to start thinking about Spring and all the great opportunities for things to do, and if your thinking about buying, now is a great time for a Black Hills vacation home.

Here are just a few of upcoming events in the area

Black Hawk Fire Dept. and Auxillary Chili Feed Fundraiser
The Black Hawk Fire Dept., 6010 Peaceful Pines, Black Hawk will be holding it’s rescheduled annual chili feed fundraiser on March 15^th from 5pm -8pm. Proceeds will be going to purchase a new thermal imaging camera for the dept. Cost is a free will donation.

 Saint Patrick’s Day in Deadwood
March 14^th– 15^th celebrate with events such as the Leprechaun Olympics, parades, music and food. Don’t miss the annual Pub Crawl on the 15^th, the largest in the region with over 1,200 participants annually. You can find the calendar of events on their website: St. Patricks Day Event.

Historic Adams House Tea & Tour
Take a step back to the Victorian era with a tea & tour of the historic Adams House in Deadwood. On March 22^nd from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea and a delicious scone, and then take a guided tour of the Queen Anne style mansion built in 1892. Admission is $12.00 for non-members and $8.00 for members.  Reservations are required and contact information is by phone at 605-578-3724 or by email at Rose@deadwoodhistory.com.

Whether you are looking for a year-around home, land, investment or vacation home, our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find- mine are always open for your convenience.

Saving to Buy Your First Black Hills Home

Have you made up your mind that this is the year to buy your first Black Hills home? Now that the holidays are over, it’s a great time to buckle down and save for a down payment. As the housing market recovers and you continue to juggle other living expenses like rent, car payments and even credit card debt, it can seem like a daunting task.

Tightening up your pocket book and following these tips can help you achieve your goals of a new Black Hills home.

Open a dedicated savings account. Keeping your “down payment saving account” separate from your other accounts can help to keep track of your progress and becomes less tempted to access for those spontaneous purchases. Setting up an automatic deposit with a set amount each paycheck, or month, can help make it easier. There’s something to that old adage, “out of sight, out of mind.”

As your savings grows, you might want to transfer the funds into a money market savings or a certificate of deposit (CD). These types of accounts enable you to earn a better interest rate, further adding to the home fund. Be careful to be aware of your timeframe so that you do not enter unknowingly into an account that may penalize you for early withdrawals.

Investigate all your loan options. Most conventional mortgages require a down payment of 20% of the purchase price. However, there are some FHA loans requiring a lower down payment and the government backs these loans, which include most closing costs and fees. Because the FHA insures the mortgage, lenders are often willing to adjust terms to make loan qualifications possible. If you have a history of credit problems such as a bankruptcy or foreclosure, an FHA loan may be worth looking into. Your Realtor® can help you look at all your options.

Tighten up your monthly budget. The first step is to write down everything you spend in a month; everything! Those coffee runs, bills, groceries, dining out, etc. Then look to see where you can trim and save. Keep in mind that the payoff of a new Black Hills home is well worth cutting back non-essential expenses like dining out, concerts, and yes, even that daily cup of joe from your favorite coffee shop!

Try to negotiate lower rates on things like car insurance or phone plans and you may even contemplate moving into a smaller place that charges less rent if you can swing it. Take a look at your debt load and consider consolidating credit card debt to one card that charges lower interest.

Look to borrow from your retirement. While it’s not encouraged to take money out of retirement funds, if you are a first-time homebuyer, you are allowed to withdraw up to $10,000 from individual retirement accounts (IRA) without penalty. If you have a 401(k) plan, you may be able to borrow up to half of your vested balance, up to $50,000, or some plans allow for a hardship distribution. Please see your investment professional to determine if this is the best course of action for you and regulations on repayment with interest.

Improve your credit score. While saving for your down payment, be conscience about improving your credit score. A stronger credit score will help you secure a better interest rate when the time comes to get that pre-approval and start looking for your new home.

I am a local expert in the Black Hills region and can help you buy your first Black Hills home. Call me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience in selling your Black Hills Home. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Get Smart Before Listing Your Black Hills Home

If you’ve decided to sell your Black Hills home, there are some ways you can start off on the right foot to work as a team with your Realtor® to help position your home the best way possible. Sure, your agent is the expert in marketing your home but giving them some pertinent information up front can go a long way in getting your home listed and sold quickly.

Know what your home is worth. Integrity Realty will offer a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of what your Black Hills home is worth. However, it’s smart to do a little digging yourself as to what your neighbor’s are selling for. Of course you have an emotional connection to your home, and sometimes these emotions can play a part in what you feel your listing price should be instead of going by the facts.

Know your bottom line before listing. It’s helpful for your Realtor® to know your bottom line in selling price. If you would rather keep that information to yourself, it’s still easy enough for you to get the payoff amount from your current mortgage lender so that you can determine whether to accept an offer or present a counter-offer.

Educate your Realtor® on updates and renovations. Many times the improvements and upgrades you have made while living in the home can be used to determine the listing price. In some cases, renovations can be worth more than what you initially invested, or at the very least can be used to highlight the home and make it stand out among the comparables.

Take care of any liens or disputes before listing your Black Hills home. Although any good real estate agent will ask, it’s important to do some research and find out if, in fact, there are any tax issues or any types of liens that may have been put on the house due to disputes or discrepancies with contractors or creditors. Your Realtor® may be able to help clear them up and resolve any issues that would come up in closing.

Make a flexible schedule for showings. Listing your home means showing your home to potential buyers. It’s important to have your home show-ready at all times and be as flexible as possible with your schedule. Take all occupants in your house into consideration; including your pets. Keeping those pets at a friend’s, neighbors, or doggy day-care may be worth it so that your home is available during the day while you’re at work. Pre-plan meals and have a “necessity bag” available just in case someone wants to see your home in the evening hours and you need to leave in a hurry.

At Integrity Realty, we determine the value of Black Hills area homes daily. I’d love to talk with you about giving you a Comparative Market Analysis of your home to determine the best course of action for you. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

South Dakota is Top in Growth for the Nation

The numbers are in and it’s official ~ South Dakota rocks!! If you are in the market for a new Black Hills home, now is the time to buy before inventory gets slim. More and more people are coming to South Dakota thanks to the low cost of living, great school systems and prime investment opportunities.

Don’t just take my word for it. According to the new US Census, South Dakota has the 6^th fastest growing population in the nation. While the nation’s average is 2.2% in growth, South Dakota’s population grew by 3.5% in the past three years, to 844,877 people.

When asked about the boom, President of the Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire, Brandon Martens had this to say, “Obviously there’s no state income tax, which helps a lot of businesses and a lot of the people coming to the area. As well as land costs, the fact that we really did not have a housing bubble, we just kind of weathered the storm and I think that really attracted people to South Dakota.”

There is more new home construction in the Black Hills area as well as fabulous resale’s, lots of land for building your own dream home, and vacation homes if you cannot reside here year-round. If you are looking for an investment or to start your own business, you will want to trust a local Realtor® to give you the best possibilities to achieve success in your new venture.

If you are ready to buy your new home in the Black Hills Area, I’d love to talk with you. Whether you are interested in homes in Hill City, Custer homes for sale, or Rapid City new homes, we can give you the most comprehensive listings that meet your criteria. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Achieve Financial Success Before Buying Your First Hill City Home

If you have decided that buying a Hill City home is your next big purchase but feel that you have too much debt to buy a home, don’t despair. There is a way out of your burden of debt. Becoming and staying debt-free will put you in a better position to find the home of your dreams and be able to comfortably make your new mortgage payment. 

There are many financial coaches and systems out there to show you how to achieve success. Here are some steps to help get a handle on your debt, relaxing your financial stress and ways to streamline those extra costs that add up each month:                  

Say Goodbye to High Interest Credit ~ Paying your high interest credit cards off first will save you money in the long run. Take the time to give your credit card companies a call to find out if you may qualify for lower interest rates. If possible, consolidate all the balances onto a single card; ideally, the one with the lowest rate.

Keep Accounts Current and Credit Score Good ~ Check your credit score at least once a year to ensure your credit score is good. If you have a low score, you can start to repair it by paying your bills on time. If you already have balances that have gone to collections, call the debtor and make payment arrangements that fit into your budget. Some level of payment, no matter the amount, is better than nothing.

Don’t  be too quick to close those cards ~ Closing credit card accounts can damage your credit-to-debt ratio, which is one of the key factors in determining your credit score. Also, closing an account can erase any good payment history you may have had, decrease your available credit and increase your debt ratio.

Track your monthly spending ~ This one may be a real eye opener to you! Many of us don’t realize where our money goes each month. It’s important to stick to this and for one entire month, record every dollar you spend. Categorize your spending such as, “groceries”, “clothing”, “automobile”, and “dining out”. You may be pleasantly surprised that there is room to cut expenses. Your morning coffee fix at the local coffee shop or your impulse buys online can all be reduced once you admit there’s a problem!

For those inevitable expenses such as gift giving, buy small, inexpensive items you know you will need even if it’s months ahead. Buying things on clearance now to use at a later date can save you money.

Lower your bills by conserving energy ~ Lowering your monthly household bills by turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, washing clothes in cold water and wearing a sweatshirt if you get a chill instead of turning on the heater can add up yearly to a lot of money. Also, on yearly renewals of your car insurance, make sure you are paying the best possible rates available.

Cash & Carry ~ This may seem hard in today’s age, but stop charging and switch to “cash and carry”. It’s all too easy to whip out a credit or debit card to pay for something. Instead, only carry cash and keep those credit cards at home. You will find yourself being much more aware of what you’re spending when you have to part with that hard-earned cash.

Save and SAVE some more ~ So you have taken my advice from above, you’ve cut back on the splurges and impulse spending and saved on household bills by conserving. All this doesn’t do much good unless you now take that savings and SAVE IT! Decide how much you can save from each check, even if it’s just $50, and immediately put it into savings. Some banks will even do a transfer withdrawal bi-monthly from your checking to savings. Before you know it, you will have accumulated a nice bit of savings which you can invest or use to help pay off that debt.

Buying a Hill City home is one of the largest, but proudest, purchases you will ever make. Ensure that you are ready for that mortgage payment before you begin the buying process. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs.

Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Protect Your Black Hills Home from Severe Weather

Large Hail, high winds, thunderstorms, even a brief touch down by a tornado! In light of all this severe weather we’ve been having this summer, I felt compelled to write about preparing your Black Hills home to help prevent damage during the severe weather.

Your vegetable garden and trees aren’t the only things in danger from a sudden afternoon thunderstorm. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there was over $30 billion in U.S. property damage from 2009 through 2011 caused by thunderstorms.

Here are some tips to weatherproof your Black Hills property and home from severe weather:

1. Trim trees and remove loose or dead branches to keep these branches from breaking and ending up through a window.
2. Routinely inspect exterior caulking and wood for sign of wood rot. Recaulking and replacing storm damaged wood can save you from filing an insurance claim for repairs – and a hefty deductible.
3. Keep gutters and drains clear of leaves, twigs, and other debris. If the water cannot properly drain, it can back up causing costly repairs down the road.
4. Inspect your roof for loose shingles. Taking care of loose or damaged shingles before the storm can stop major leaks and damage inside your home.
5. Once you get that warning a storm is on its way, move all your trash cans, patio furniture, kids play equipment and other loose items into a shed or garage. If you have a pool, make sure the cover is securely fastened.

Understand that not all storm damage can be avoided. Once the storm passes, be sure to assess any property damage as soon as possible. Most damage can be repaired by you, but if there’s any major damage you will want to report it to your agent immediately.

One of the best tips is to be familiar with your homeowners insurance policy and which coverage is provided. Speak to your agent at least annually to make any necessary changes to your policy and know which severe weather situations are covered by your policy. Typically, standard homeowner insurance policies cover losses due to windstorm, hail, tornado and similar weather.

If you are looking to downsize your Rapid City home, upsize to accommodate your growing family or are ready to buy a Custer vacation property, I’d love to talk with you. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience!

Black Hills Revving Up for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

STURGIS  ~  Biker or not, chances are you’ve heard about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally; an annual event that brings motorcycle enthusiasts, fans, exhibitors and onlookers to South Dakota.  The hum of the bikes can be heard for miles around the Black Hills area and marks the kickoff to the annual rally which this year is August 5-11 2013.

The city of Sturgis spends upwards of $1 million to host the six-day rally that brings hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the city and surrounding Black Hills. It’s an experience of a lifetime where locals show you down-home hospitality and hundreds of visiting exhibitors can offer you anything and everything you’d want to dress up the bike or your body … did you know you can get matching tattoos on both your body and bike?

I know motorcycle enthusiasts of all walks and sizes that spend time getting the bikes together, trailers rented, and lodging set months, even years, in advance to ensure smooth travel to Sturgis. The diehards ride all the way to Sturgis while others travel with their bikes in tow to wait till arriving before revving up those engines.

Not a biker? There’s still great fun to be had at the Rally. The entertainment never stops, there’s great food and drink, and you’ll meet some great people from all around the world. The only thing you are required to bring is an open mind! Check out the events schedule to determine which events are a must-see.

If you are coming in for the fun, take some time to realize the beauty of South Dakota and the surrounding communities in and around Sturgis. Now is a great time to find an investment property in Deadwood, vacation home in Spearfish, or even a home in Sturgis itself. Our expertise in the Black Hills or Rapid City markets will ensure you a stress-free experience. Contact me, Jim Peterson, at (605) 574-4444 or email me to discuss how I can help you with all your real estate needs. My office is in the heart of Hill City and as a tourist spot, restrooms are hard to find – mine are always open for your convenience! Like me on Facebook for all upcoming events!